Sheet scoring and severing machine



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Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view Patented Apr. 25, 1944UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,347,254 SHEET SCORING AND SEVERINGMACITINEGeorge D. Cox, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Williams and MarcusCompany, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationAugust 4, 194 2, Serial No. 453,527

22 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet scoring and severing means, that is tosay to machines for creasing sheets of paper or the like alongpredetermined lines, and for cutting them up into smaller sections orslips crosswise of the creased lines.

My invention has for its chief aim to simplify machines of the typereferred to with a view toward enabling their operatio at much higherspeeds than possible with prior art machines designed for theperformance of like operations,

and securing a correspondingly increased out-put from them Thisdesideratum I realize in practice, as hereinafter more fully. set forth,through provision of an improved feeding mechanism which can be reliedupon to removethe sheets singly from the top of a supply pile, andthrough the further provision of an improved means by which theindividual sheets successively presented thereto by the feeding meansare scored along a line or lines transversely of the direction offeeding, and severed crosswise of the scoring line or lines into smallersections, and the cut sections concurrently advanced, with assuranceagainst the possibility of clogging, 'for ultimate delivery to acollecting'receiver in as many separate piles. v v

The machine of my invention, in the form hereinafter disclosed by wayofexample, is particularly adapted for the production in quantity, of

slips 'or tickets such as are ordinarily used by telephone-companies torecord toll calls'and information concerning them for subsequentbilling, from pre-printed blanks which bearin multiple all the lines,legends, etc., necessary to the individual slips or tickets.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from. the followingdetailed description of the attached drawing, wherein Fig. 1 shows, inelevation, one side of a sheet scoring and cutting machine convenientlyembodying the present improvements. v

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale [showing the elevation ofthe opposite side of the machine.

Fig. 3 shows the machine in end elevation as it appears when viewed inthe direction indicated .by the angledarrows III-III in Fig. 1.

I the machine in top plan.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the by the angled arrowstaken as indicated by the angled arrows VIVI in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 5 and drawn to alarger scale.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View turn corresponding to Fig. 7 with partsdifferently positioned.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken as indicated by theangled arrows IX-JX in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9 with the parts differentlypositioned.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken as indicated by theangled arrows XI XI in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7.

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary cross sectional views taken as indicatedrespectively by the angled arrows XII-f-XII and XIII-XIII in Figs. 1, 2,4, 5 and 6.

Fig. 14 is a plan sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrowsXIVXIV in Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view in plan showing how the operations offeeding, scoring and cutting are continuously carried out in themachine; and

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view in side elevatio corresponding to Fig.15.

With more detailed reference to these illustrations, the numeral lcomprehensively desig- J mental side frames 5 and 6 for supporting saidmain side frames at a suitable elevation from the floor. 1

From Figs. 3, 5, 7-10, it will be noted that the feeding mechanism lincludes a platform elevator 1 for the sheet supply pile P, saidelevator being supported at its ends by slides 8 which engage verticalguides 9 on the side frames of the machineQ The elevator 1 i suspendedby means of a pair of chains 10 which pass up and around sprocket wheelsH on a transverse shaft l2 suitably journaled in the side frames 3 and4, said chains also engaging grooved idler rolls l3 which are freelymounted on a fixed tie bar l4. Secured to the shaft 12 adja cent one endthereof isa worm wheel l5 which meshes with a worm lfi-on'a snortlongitudinally extending shaft I 1 journaled in upstanding'bearings l8and 19 on the side frame 3, see Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. For the purpose ofintermittentl raising the elevator 1 to maintain the top of the sheetpile P at a substantially constant level, I have provided means includina feeler in the form of a finger 20 which rests on the topmost sheet Sat its transverse center adjacent its rear edge, said .feeler beingadjustably secured by a winged clamp nut Zl to the outer'end of ahorizontal arm 22 freely fulcrumed at 23 to a rearward bracket extension24 of the machine frame, see Figs. 3, 9 and 10, and having limitedmovement within the range of the-pin-and-slot means at 25. Somewhatforwardof its fulcrum 23, the arm 22 carries a stud 2B which ox'erreae'hes the short lateral arm 21a of a vertical triple-yer {2-1 freeto rock about a fixed pivot 28. The trip lever 27 normally occupies theposition shownin-Figkil with its upper end engaged beneath a-stopprojection 2% on the arm 29 freely fulcrumed on the shaft 1 andheld-against lateral displacement thereon between two ratchet wheels 30- and3 l .afiixed to said shaft. 1 -"Fhe norma1 engagement of the projectienzsa on 'theiarm 2 9' with'the top ofthetrip lever2l is mairitained bythe :action ofa helicaltension springtz whereof oneend is connected tosaid arm at 33 and the otherend "to a fixedanchorage .35 on the machineframe.

Pivoted on the l arm 29' at 36 is 'a pawl-31 which is maintained incooperative-relation with the teeth o-f theratohet-13il byJaspring-SS.Reverse rotation of the shaft ll is prevented'by a detent 39 held inoperative '3 engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel :3 l by'aispring dllgsaiddetent being freely pivoted to the top end of -anupstand- -ing. bearing support 39azon thezside frame 3. At its outerendgthe'rarmlzs:carriesa stud 4| which engages an.elonga'ted slot l-2a,at theitop end \ofa vertical link 42 whereof the lower end is'pivotallycon'nectedrto a rocker arm 43 which constantly oscillates \aboutaifixedfulcrum 45,the slot being the feeler 20 drops, :the vertical.tripleve'r 2'! is Withdrawn from beneath theistopllia on the'arm-29,'with the result thatthe latter is actuated through the link 42fromthe rocker arm 43 until .the normal condition is ire-established withthe pile at the ;properheight, when said trip lever will againena'gebeneath the stop projection on said ilm. :As-shownin Figs. 2 and 10,the rocker arm 4-3 is actuated 'by a pair of intermeshing segmentalbevel gears 46 and 4'! whereof the latter is connected to an arm 48which oscillates .about a fixed fulcrum 49 (Fig. 2) on the frame 3 2.1;the outside,:through a link 50 from a crank pin '5l on a spurgear 52afiixed to one endof a transverse rotary shaft 53. Mounted on thefixed-cros rod I4 at the longitudinal center of the machine, Eigs. 5,.9and 10, are three collars 5 5, 56 and {51 vi'ihereto arepivoted threependent arms 58, 59 and till which engage the ,pile vP-at the back.,Adjustably secured totheouter arms 58 and' fi ll by screws 6| are apair'of outwardly extending lateral arm 62 and-B3 having ,at:theiren'ds, tapered stud projectionsfi l and 65 that slightly overlie therear'edge of the top-sheet in the pile. Bymeans of a tension spring.-6Bconnecting'thelowerends of the-two outermost-arms 5-58 and 60, 'thB'St1ld projections 65 and fifi rare pressed yieldingly down on the topsheet in =the pile at o well spaced points ,and; caused to -followftherpile downward as :the sheets S :are :suocessive- 1y removed. Theposition of the pile P on the elevator I is determined and maintainedthrough enga ement of its front corners within the hollow of verticalguide angle bars 6'! which are suitably secured to the machineframework. Supported with capacity for axial up-and-down adjustment atthe opposite sides of a central verticalabutment bar 68 for the .frontof the sheet pile P is -'a pair of rods b9 respectively whereof theupper ends are laterally bent as at 69a in Figs. 7 and 8 to slightlyoverreach the topmost sheet in the pile for the purpose of controllingthe sheetat its front edge, also in a manner later onexplained.Thefeeding mechanism I further .Ii ncludes a Lgripper means whichconsists of a relatively short tube l8 which is vertically arranged andat its lower end carries a pair of laterally spaced suction cups H ofresilient ma- .terialsuch as rubber or the like, the upper end of saidtube being connected by a flexible hose 3-2 withpiping 13 which leadsfrom a rotary blower "PM suitably supporte'd in "the open p'edestalportion o'f themachi'ne framework, see Figs. 1, .B and' 1 4. Clamp'edtoithe tube 10 area pairof .coll'ars 275 and :16 :whereofthe upper :oneispivotally connected at 'Il to the end of a clev-ised lifting arm 18:rfast on 'zattransverse roc'k shaft 81, :With a pendentarm 88 affixedtos'a parallel rock shaft 89 which extends :alongside *the rock shaft'19. .Fast onthe-rock shaft .89 adj acent lthe outside of :the :sideframe 13 eisan arm 510 with a ,roller "9! in the path of a second cam'92 con the-rotary shaft (see Figsmi and). 'Bymeans of another helicalspring :93 in tension between the-end of an angular arm 94 :on the"shaft 89 and the fixed anchorage 85,'- the r roller 91 on the arm :15yieldingly-maintained in contact with the cam 92. As shown in Fig. 7, aconnecting .link .95 serves tomaintain the collars l5 and 16proper-lyrspaced on the tube 10. The cams 82 and- 92 are .so positionedcircumferentially of the shaftl'iiias totfirstcause the suctioncups'1l--,at

thelower end offthe tube 10 to be-depressed-lonto the it'opsheet .S ofthe pile-Pimmediately inward .iof'itsirontedgeas. shown in Fig.8, thento cause the gripper 'm'eanstoibemaisedso that the-front "edge o'f'th'e'sheetis'lifted-clear of thehol'd-down stops 69a, and finally Ito causethe said gripper means 'to"beswungabout the pivoti'l'l' to advancetheisheet to the scoring andfsevering mechanism 2 "of the "machine.Individual removal of the sheets'S is insuredbytheaction of an air-blast'mea'ns which keeps the upper portion of "the pile P opened up as shownin Figsi5and ,This air-blast means includes vertical pipes $96 which arepositioned --:at opposite sides of the "central stop bar, and which haveslit-like dischargeoutrlet apertures 96a adjacent'their upper-ends.- Thelower .ends ofthe pipes- 96 are-connected through flexible hoses 1, -'to'a pipe 98 leading from a compressed air reservoir 99 which is in turnconnected by a pipe Hi0 to theidischarge 'side of the zrotarysblower:14.

.Thus asingle" source :serves 'both' for .thesuction and for thepressure air necessary .toxthe operation ofthefeedingmechanism. Theblower l4 whereof the outermost ones extend beyond the rear edge of saidplate and over the sheet pile P in the intervalsbetween certain of theguard strips I I3. As further shown in Fig. 5, the upper 'is' constantlydriven during the operation of the machine, through a sprocket chainconnection IOI, from an electric motor I02 suitably supported within theopen pedestal portion ofthe machine framework.

Interposed in the piping I3 is a valve I (see Fig. 5) whereof the stemI05a is engaged by one end of a centrally-pivoted spring-pressed. leverI06, which, at its opposite end, carries'a roller I01 in contact with acam I08 on another. rotary shaft I09 in the interval between the sideframes 3 and 4 of the machine. The edge of the cam I08 is so shaped asto'actuate the valve I05 for interruption of the suction when the frontedge of the sheet has been advanced to a horizontal table i plate III!which is supported by spaced girts III, I I2 of the machine framework.As shown in Fig. 7, the plate I I0 is overhung by transversely spacedlongitudinally extending hold-down strips I I3 as at I I311. The rearends of the remaining intermediate strips II 3 are inclined upwardly asat II3b, while the corresponding end of the plate H0 is roundeddownwardly as-at IIIIa formore ready entry of the sheets S between them.As shown in Fig. 5, the guard strips II3 are-supported by hangers I I4clamped to transverse supporting bars H5. At the receiving edge of theplate III] are pairs of superposed nip'rolls H3 and III whereof thelower ones are secured to a transverse rotary shaft I I8 and operateupwardly through cut-outs in said plate, and whereof the upper ones aremuch narrower and operate rolls llfi are supported by horizontal armsII9 extending rearwardly from a transverse rock shaft I directly abovethe girt. A spring I2I in tension between the fixed anchorage 86 and theend of a vertical arm I22-afilxed to the rock shaft I20, serves tomaintain the upper nip rolls IIB in yielding contact normally with thelower nip rolls II'I. Provisions are made for separating the rolls H6and III, that is to say, for lifting the upperrolls III; temporarilyaway from the lower rolls III, to facilitate entry between the two setsof the sheets S as the latter are successively advanced from the pile P.The means for accomplishing such movement of the upper nip rolls H6comprises a cam I23 (Fig. 8) fast' on the rotary shaft I09 immediatelyto the outside of the frame 4, said cam acting on a roller I24 at theend of an arm I25 secured to the rock shaft I20, see Fig. 1.Accordingly, as the high part of the cam I23 under-travels the rollerI24, the shaft I20 is rocked to lift the upper nip rolls H6 away fromthe lower nip rolls III for the purpose above stated. Immediatelybeyond'the girt I I I in the direction of feeding is'another group ofnip rolls including a pair of upper rolls I26 and a lower roll I27 whichextends across the width of the machine, the upper rolls I26 beingcarried by forwardly extending arms I28 free on the rock shaft I20 andyieldingly urged-downward by torsion springs shown at I29 in Figs. 4 and11. As shown in Fig. l,the scoring and severing mechanism 2 of themachine-is stationed-im mediately beyond the feeding mechanism I whichhas just been described. By reference to'Figs. 5 and 6 it will beobserved that the mechanism 2 comprises fixed die members I30 which aresupported in spaced relation longitudinally of the machine-in acentrally open bed I3I which-extends crosswise of the machine frames 3and 4.

cam by a spring I55 (see Fig. 1).

Arranged to cooperatewith the fixed dies I30-are scoring blades I32which are suitably secured in a cross head I33 which is confined to upand down movement-by guide posts I35 upstanding fromthe side frames 3and4. Reciprocatory motion is imparted to the head I33 through a pair ofeccentric straps I30 which engage eccentrics I3'I affixed tortheopposite ends of another crosswise extending-rotary shaft I38. As shownin Figs. 2 and 12, the bearing portions of the pivot trunnions I39 forthe upper ends of the straps I36 are eccentric to the trunnion shanksI30a which pass through the ends of the head I33. By

I rotatively adjusting the trunnions I39 in one direction or the other,it is possible to varythe downward limit of movement of the head I33,

and hence that of the scoring blades I32, accidental shifting of thetrunnions I33 in adjusted positions being prevented by clamp nuts I391)which engage the threaded inner ends of the trunnion shanks I39a, seeFig. 12. The sheets S successively taken from the pile by the grippermeans II of the feeding mechanism are advanced over the table I III bythe nip rolls I I0, I I1 and I26, I21 until arrested over thebed I3Iwhen the head I33 is in raised position, by 'a pair of stops I40,

see Figs. 5. and 6. Retrograde movement of the sheets S While thescoring is being done is prevented through cooperation betweena pair offriction rolls I4I which are mounted on a rotary shaft I42 beneath thetable plate I I0, and a plurality of gravity balls I43 which are looselyheld against displacement in the direction of sheet travel in fixedholder devices I44, and which rest on the sheets S directly above saidfriction rolls. As shown in Fig. 6, the rolls MI and the balls I43 arelocated mid-way between the scoring dies I30. -As each sheet is rapidlyadvanced over the table plate IIO to the scoring means by the rolls I26,I21 the balls I43 attain considerable momentum and tend to urge thesheet forward by frictional action thereupon notwithstanding its beingarrested by the stops I40. To make the arresting of the sheet doublysure, fixed stops I45 are attached to the. trailing edges of theoutermost of the hold-down strips II3, see Figs. 5, l5 and 16, to catchthe rear edge of the sheet as said edge springsup slightly upon clearingthe rolls I23, I21. Beyond the scoring means in the direction of sheettravel'in themachine is'another advancthe upper nip roll I40 extendsacross the width .of the machine, while the lower nip rolls I41 areindividually carried by horizontal arms I48 affixed .to a transversesupporting rock shaft I49.' At

that end of the shaft I49 which protrudes through the side frame 4 issecured a pendent arm I50 having a roller I5I in contact with a rotarycam I52 on still another transverse shaft I53, said roller being heldyieldingly in contact with the The cam I52 is so positioned on the shaftI50 that during scor- -ing with the head I33 down and the sheetsstationary, the upper nip rolls I46 are held elevated as shown in Fig.5.. Immediately after each scor- .ing has been accomplished the stopsI40 are .moved downwardly out of the way, being for this reason securedtostill another transverse rock :shaft I56 whereto is also secured anarm I51 'having a roller I58 running in engagement with a cam I59 on therotary shaft I53, such engagement being maintained by the action of aspring IGI in tension-between the fixed anchorage I62 on :the-side frame.14 .a-nd a pendent :arm 1:63; *The timingpf'thecam 1:519 is-such :as-todeterminethe withdrawal of the stops LL40 concurrently with downwardmovement of the .UDDBIZIHDIOHS 146 into eontaot with thei'loweriniprroll I14] .so that the scored sheet is grasped :and-.advanced .still further on the table IIRIFO.

Centralization of .thesheets on rthe ztab'le :p'late H at the scoringmeans iseffected thy .a apusher' -I i 4,.see Figs. .13 :and .15,:pivotally connected to ithe pen-dent extremity .of :an .1155 which ismedially z'fulcrumedzto rock on .a .stud Iafifi on a collar zit!supported .:-by :a across i bar J68. As --sho.\vn, .the rpusher .1164:is pressed downward Zfor maintenance in yielding contact with the topsurface of :the table zplate ;-I;I 0 :by .a ifinger :snrin' 4:69..Normally .the pusher J64 isheldretraQted by a helical tension springzlr -il; hates the scorin :head 2!;3-3 begins .to (.dGSQElId, is movedlaterally :inward -..of :the table plate I-I.0 to the position shown-inFig. 13 by the-action of agca'med c -II=I ronisaid ghead upon :a roll ,I-I-2 on the upper extremity of ,the arm I65. During this inward shift,the pusher .154 engages one zside edg-e of the sheet and prqperlypositions the sheet before the.,sc.ori;ng blades 4.32 :enter the groovesof the fixed dies I130. Asshown in Fig. 13,.the collar IE7 is adjustablealong the bar Hi8 by means of a regulating screw 113, and is seem-ablein adjusted positionsby a set screw 1-1.4.

Beyond the nip rolls 14.6 and I41, additional guard :strips I'I5serve tohold .thepassing sheets to the table :plate III), said additional strips.being supported by suspension brackets 575 from the bar IE8. ,After.being .transversely'scored, each sheet is severed crosswise of thescoring lines into smaller .sectionsor slips .8 loysuperposed pairs .ofcooperating cutting rolls I11, I18 having sharpened peripheral knifefins I19 and I80 in shearing engagement. The cutting rolls IT! and I18.ar e mounted with capacity for adjustment in spaced relation lengthwiserespectively of transverse rotary ,shafts -I'8I, I82, the sheets Sbeingfed 'toflthemhy an advance pair of fluted auxiliary nip rolls 1'83, 185which :receive said sheets from the nip rolls I46 and I141. The .endmostpairs :of the severing .rolls ii! I18 serve to trim'o'ff the excess atthe side'margins of the sheets S,thetrimmin gs Tibeing deflecteddownward about the roll "by curved stripper guards shown 'at't85 in'Figs.15, '15 and '16, An oil saturated flap 'I'8'6 of felt 'or the-like:suspended 'from another fixed cross bar 'I'8-I "on-themachineframework-wipes against the "knife fins "ITil on the uppercutting rolls IT! to keep the "shearing edges lubricated. "After beingcut from the sheets S 'by the severing rolls, the cut sec- 'tions or"slips S are --advanced by another auxiliary pair of superposed flutednip rolls 1 88, I89 to a plurality-of laterally spaced horizontal belts49!], the top runs'o'f which are-ate level slightly below'the hip-ofsaid rolls being'directed. down-- ward'ontosaid -be1ts by deflecting.guards I Q-I. 'As shown in Fig. l, :the belts I30 are trained about endpulleys I 92 'and I94 which=are suitably "journaled in forw-ard br-acketextensions T95 -and -I9B-'of the side 1 framesfi-an'd 4, the :upper runsof said belts l-being supported .in their travel hya sustaining platezpartlyeshownuat .1I.97 :iniEig. :4.

The xbelts 190 :are. individually ;tensione.d by .idler =1'o'l1s.I39i8.:individually.carr:ied.hyarms I.9..9 which ;are fulcrumed .on;artransverse.:ro.d.i200 zand whi h ;a1:e:subiect toeravityinfluence,:the lower-runof .thezbelt zbeins diverted :adiacent :the.;.pulley 19.2

:fixed axis. In passing beneath the deflecting -.g.ua:rds :I-9.I, the.cut sections orslips ,S' are -held to .the belts I190 by individuallycooperatina ravb ;ty influenced rolls .2112 which are loosely heldbetween collars 202a on a cross ,shaft 2.0. Th ends .of this crossshaitzm are'fixedin a pair of rsuspensiomarms :204 f hung from bracketarms which are adjustable about fixed pivots 206 :on 'xthe .lside:rrames ,3 and 4 pf :the machine. As showninlEig. .l, the belts J95deliver the cut sections orlslips *S toe-receiver 1.0.1 from :Whi h th y.may he removed :from time to tim by an a tendant and packed ,intobundles of a convenient :SlZG.

The machine :is powered Joy an electric mo 2 I 0 supported by :aplatform .2 II between-the s frames 15 and *6 of the pedestal p t n ofthe machine :fra-mevvork. Through :a speed reducing sprocket chainconnection 212 the motor 2Ir0 -:drives a transmission shaft 213 which is43.01 1- -:naled in the:side fframes-5-and 6 and in turn connectedbyrmeans .of 1a sprocket .chain 2M to a shaft 2L5 (Fig. 5,) Throughapair-of spur pineions 216 and'ZIJ rota y :motion is communicated fromthe shaft 215 toagear wheel 2-I8 on the shaft I38 which carries theeccentrics I35 for actuating the scoring head 133. ,Also meshing withthe .;gear wheel 2I8is apinion 2I9 which drives a pinion .220 on ,a:cross shaft 22 I. On that end of the ,latter which protrudes throughthe :sideirame 3 see Fig. .2, the shaft .2-2.I carries a .spur pinion.222 which drives ,a .gear wheel 223 ion the-shaft I09 of :the valveoperating cam I08, .saidgear wheel having meshing therewith spur pinions225 and .225 respectively secured to the shafts H8 and I2'Ia :0f the hiprollers II! and I21. As furtherashown in Fig. :2, thepinion 225 drives.an idler spur gear 229 withanattached coaxial pinion 230 in drivingmesh with the .gear wheel '52 on the shaft 530i the feeding mechanism I.The shaft-83.of;the.feeding mechanism I is driven through va spur,gearl232 fast thereon and in mesh with the gear wheel 229. Again.reierring toFig. .2, a spur ,pin-ion .235 at the near -.end of .thetransmissionshaft 2,15 .drives an inter- .meshing gear wheel 236 on theshaft I53 ofthe stop .operatingcam .I59,-and from this gear Wheel,the-shaftsl fl, I'4'Ia,.I8I, I82 I83a, I84a,.l.88.a.and .1390 ,of thevarious rotary elements embodied ,in the scoring and severing mechanismZar actu- .ated through .gear trains which include pinions 231, 238, 239,,.2 I0,. 2-4 I, 242,243, .244, 245, 245 and .241. The shaft I93 carryn the pulley I92 for the .belts Ififlis driven through a sprocket chainconnection25il from .a speed reducer 25I in turn driven .from thetransmission shaft 2I3 by a sprocket chain connection 252. .In thisconnection, it is pointed .outthat the surface speed of .the belts ISOis considerably less than that of ,the ,nip rollers 118.8, [8.9 so thatthe .cut sections S are-caused tooverlap each other as shown in Fig. 15,andtogather in piles, in thereceiver 25?. The jflutingvof the lower niproller I89 is also of importance in that it insures depression of thetrailingedges of onegroup of the ,cut sections so thatthey will beoverlapped-by the leading edges of the next group. The various gearelements which have ,just been-described are so proportioned as torender the operation .of the machine continuous with avoidance of anytendency to clog as -thesheets .S are passed through it forscoring-andsub-divisioninto the smaller sections. .For convenience;ofthe attendantor operator, the switches indicated .at 255 and .256 forthe blower aanotherddler :roll 32.0 I which .:revolves:ahout 'a anddriving motors 4.0 2 and 2 I ll ,respectlvely are placed at the deliveryend of themachine, being secured to the frame extension I96 at the sideof the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

In order that the machine maybe manually operated, if necessary for anyreason, a hand wheel 25! is aflixed to thenearend of thetransmissionshaft H in Fig. 1, whileadjustment of the elevator means of thefeedingimechanism I is made possible by means of a hand wheel 258affixed to the outer end of the shaft [1, see Figs. 1, 2 and 5. Themachine is moreover provided with an auxiliary suction shut-off valve259 which is interposed in the piping 13 and'which is manually operablethrough a rod 260 extend ing forward to the delivery endof the machinewhere it is formed with a rotatable handle 26! as also shown i Fig. 1'.In addition, there is shown at 262 in Fig. 1 a regulatable bleed valveby which the suction may be varied when'necessary or required.

As hereinbefore stated, the machine of my in 'vention when arranged asillustrated and do scribed is especially useful in the production ofcreased or scored toll sheets for telephone com panies from sheetshaving imprinted thereon lines and legends in duplicate to serve for therespective cards. Such sheets and cards are typified conventionally inFig. 15 and neednot therefore be described in detail. My improvedmachine is not, however, limited to such employ-' ment, since, bysuitable modifications within the scope of the appended claims, it maybe readily adapted to scoring and sub-dividing :sheets of paper orcardboard, or even sheet metal blanks differently from the way hereindisclosed by way of example. I Having thus described my invention, Iclaim 1. In a scoring and severing machine, mechanismfor scoringindividual sheets'of paper or the like and cutting them up into aplurality of smaller sections; and mechanism for remov-' ing theindividual sheets from a supply pile and feeding them to the scoring andsevering mechanism, including a pair of nip rol1ers,a vacuum gripper inthe form of an upright tube with'a suction cup at its lower end, a liftarm to which the tube is pivotally connected, a second arm for swingingthe tube about its pivotal connection with the lift arm, and a rotaryshaft with cam means thereon for actuating said arms in timed relation,so that the gripper is first moved downward into engagement with the topsheet of the supply pile and then upward and laterally to advancethesheet to the nip rollers, suction control means, and means for actuatingthe suc-' tion control means for release of the'sheet upon its deliveryto said nip rollers.

2. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 1, in which thefeeding mechanism further includes means operative .to keep the upperpart of the supply pile opened up thereby to facilitate the successiveremoval of the top sheets in the manner set forth.

3. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 1. in which thefeeding mechanism further includes nozzle. means for blasting air underpressure laterally into the upper portion of the pile thereby to keepthat part of the pile opened up in order to facilitate, thesuccessiveremoval of the top sheets in themanner set forth.

4. A scoring and severing machine according to, claim 1, in which thefeeding mechanism further. includes means for holding downthe' pileWhile permitting successive removal of the top sheets in the manner setforth.

1.5: A 'sheet 's'coring and severing machine accordingtoclaim 1',- inwhich the feeding mechanism furth'er'includes means having slight"projection respectively overthe front and rear edges of the top sheetin the pile for'holding said pile downwhilepermitting successive removalof theftopisheets in the manner set forth.

6. A sheet scoring and severing machine ac= cording .to claim 1', in'which the gripper means engages the top sheet in the pile'somewhatrearward of the leading edge; 'and further including pressermeansffor engaging the topmost sheet adjacent its rear edge, andhold-down i means extending over the front edge of the pile to nor mallyhold it down while permittingsuccessive removal of the top sheets in themanner set 7. .Ascoring and severing machine according to claim '1, 'inwhich the support f'o'i the' sheet supply-pile is in the 'form of'an'elle'vatorf and in which the feeding 'mechanism' further in cludesmeansfor automatically raising the elevator as the supply thereondwindles to maintainthe top of the pile at a substantially constant'level.

8. 'A scoring and 'severing machingiacco'rding to claim '1, in which thesupport for the sheet supply pile is in the form of an elevator;'and inwhich the feeding mechanism furtl lenincludes a gravity feeler whichnormally rests on the top of the pile; anormally quiescent shaftcarrying 'a pair of sprocket wheels from which the elevator is suspendedby m'eansfofchains, and racking means controlled by the feeler andautomatically actuated when said feeler drops slightly to rotate thenormally; quiescent shaft forthe purposeuof raising 'the elevator automatically and thereby maintaining remap- 0f the'pile at asubstantiallycon'stant' levell 9. In ascoring and'severing machine; mechanism forscoring individual sh'etsof paper-"or the like and cutting them up intoa plurality-of smaller sections; and mechanism for removing the sheetsindividually 'from a supply pile and feeding them to the scoring andsevering mechanism, including a pair of hip rollers, a suction blower, avacuum gripper in communication with the suction side of the blower,suction control means interposed between said gripper andt he' blower,means for moving the gripper first down ward into engagementwith thetop' sheet of a supply'pile and then upward and "laterally to advancethe sheet to the nip rollers, and noz'zle' means connected to'thepressure side ofthe blower aforesaid for blasting air: under pressurelaterally into the upper portion of'th'e pile to keep"tha't portion ofthe pile opened up and thereby facilitate successive'removal of the topsheets. 1

'10. In a scoring'and severing'machine', mechanism for scoringindividual sheets of paper or the like and cutting them'up into aplurality of smaller sections; and feeding mechanism for removing thesheets individually from a supply pile and advancing them to saidscoring and sev ering mechanism, including a pair of superposed niprollers, a'vacuum gripper in communication with a source ofconstahtsuction, suction con trol 'means interpo'sed'betw'een said gripper andthe suction source, means for moving the gripper first downward intoengagement with the 't'op sheet of the supply 'pile and then upwardan'dforward to advance said sheet to the nip rollers,

and means for actuating the] suction control means tointerruptthe'suction' for release of the she t upon i s delivery to saidnip rollers; and hold down m ns includin a pair f pivotany su p n ed rmsha ing lateral extremities with p oje tion at: their ends overt-cachinthe top f th P le adjacent the rear edge of the same, and atension-sprin c nne in the lowerend of said rms to ke p said projectionsinyieldin onta t with sa d one 7 n. s o in and severin machine, mechanifo scorin individual sheets of pa r r the like and cutting them up intoa plurality of smaller sections; and feeding mechanism for removing thesheets individually from a supply p le nd ad ancing them to saidscoring'and sever-ing mechanism, includin a pair of superposed niprollers, a vacuum gripper in communication with a source of suction,suction control means in e p s d between said ripper and the suction sor m ans fo moving the gripper first downwar nto eng ement with the topsheet of the up ly pi e and then upward and forwa d t d n e aid. sheetto the nip rollers, and means for actu ting th uction ontro means toterrupt the suction for release of the sheet upon its delivery to saidnip rollers, and means for temporari y separa in the n p rollers untilthe leading edge of the sheet, is in position between them 1 In ascoring a s verin ma h ne, ,me h ani m f s oring; n ividu l sh ts ofpaper or the like and cutti g them up into a plurality of small s ctons; and, fcedins cha sm' for removin the sheet ind v dually from a supppile and advan in th m to sai c rin and sevr n mecha ism, nc ud g a paof. superposed nip r l e s, a vacuum grip er in communication w th asource f constant suct on-suction contr l m ns n erposed b we n sa d rpper and the suction source, means for moving the gripper first d nwardnto engage ent. with the top she t o thesupply pile and then upward andforward to advance said sheet to the nip rollers, and means foractuating the suction control means; to interrupt the suction forrelease of the Sheet upon its delivery, to said nip rollers, and meansfor separating the nip rollers until the leading edge of the sheet, isin position between them, a d fo restoring the t en ge he advancingsheet upon relief of the vacuum in the gripper means.

13. Ina coring nd severin m ch neimech-- anism for scoringindividualsheets of" paper or the like and cutting them up into a plurality ofsmaller sections; and feeding mechanism, for removing the sheetsindividually from a, supply pile and advancing them to said scoringandsevering mechanism, including a pair ofsuperposed n p r l ers, avacuum ipper n c mmunicatio with a source of constant suction, suctioncone trol means interposed betweensaid, gripper and the s cti o rcmeans-fo m v n the. grippe first downward nt ngagement with th t p e t ot e upp y p e nd then upward a forward to advance said sheet. to the niprollers, e s t r act ating th su tion; cont-ml means o i te rup thection for re ease of: thesheet upon. ts de ivery o e n p ro lers. one oisa d ip rollers be ng- Iixed n s i n: nd he o h one arried by a arm subict o spr g inflw onc d. mea s for actuat ng the supportin arm of the,movabla roller $0. thatv the, latter is temporarily withdrawn from itsmateas' the sheet-i ad nced he manner et for h. and subsequ nt y re asedto t e ac n the sprin to permi the ro ler to gr sp said sheet,

14-. In a scoring and severing machine; mech-- anism for scoringindividual sheets of paper or the like and cutting them up into aplurality of smaller sections; and 'feeding mechanism for removing thesheets individually from a supply pile and advancing them to saidscoring and severing mechanism, including a pair of superposed niprollers, a vacuum gripper in communication with a source of constantsuction,suction control means interposed between said gripper and thesuction source, means for moving the gripper first downward intoengagement with the top sheet of the supply pile and then upward andforward to advance said sheet to the nip rollers, means for actuatingthe suction control means to interrupt the suction for release of thesheet upon its delivery to the nip rollers, one of said nip rollersbeing fixed in position and the other one carried by an arm subject tospring influence, and means for actuating the supporting arm of themovable roller so that the latter is temporarily withdrawn from its mateas the sheet is advanced in the manner set forth, and later on releasedto the action of the spring to permit the roller tograsp said sheet atthe time that the suction to the gripper means is cut off;

15. In a scoring and severing machine, scoring and severing mechanismincluding scoring means with a pair of scoring elements which aremovable toward and away from each other, cutting means, a pair ofnormally separated nip rolls in an interval between said scoring andsevering means, stop means for arresting individual sheets of paper orthe like successively; fed into position between the scoring I elements,and means operative after'the scoring to withdraw the stop means andbringabout the, engagement of the nip rolls for advance of thesuccessively scoredsheets to the cutting means; and feeding means forsuccessively removing the sheets from a supply pile and advancing themto the scoring, means.

16. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 15, in which thescoring means has scoring blades that extend crosswise of the path ofadvance of the sheets and in which the severing means comprises opposingpairs of rotary cuttin'g'knives in shearing relation which are laterallyspaced-transversely of the direction of advance of the sheets.

1'7. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 15', with meansfor preventing'rebound of 'the sheets relative to the stops, includinga; constantly rotating roller which tends to urge the sheets toward saidstops, and a freely supported gravity ball to engage the sheets abovetheconstantly rotating roll.

18. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 15, with means'forpreventing rebound of the sheets relative to the stops, including aconstantly rotating roller which tends to urge the sheets toward saidstops, a freely supported gravity ball to engage the sheets above theconstantly rotating roll, and another stop means for engaging the rearedges of the sheets concurrently with the arrest of the latter by thefirst stop means 1.9.. A scoring andsevering machine according toclaim15,, in which thercutting means comprises opposing. groups of rotaryknives inshearing. engagementnip. rolls forward and. rearward of the:cutting knives to, assist in advancing the.

sheets through the cutting Irreans,v and delivery belt means forconveying the severed sections away from the cutting means.

20. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 15, in which thecutting means comprises opposing groups of rotary knives in shearingengagement, nip rolls forward and rearward of the cutting knives toassist in advancing the sheets through the cutting means, delivery beltmeans for conveying the severed sections away from the cutting means;and means for driving the belt means at a surface speed slower than thatof the nip rolls so that the severed sections arrange themselves inoverlapping relation on said belt means.

21. In a scoring and severing machine, scoring and severing mechanismincluding scoring means with a pair of die elements which are movabletoward and away from each other, means automatically operated throughrelative movement of the die elements in closing to laterally engagesheets to center them as they are individually advanced for scoring,severing means, and intermittently operative means for advancing thescored sheets from the scoring means to the severing means forsub-division into plural smaller sections; and feeding mechanism forfeeding the sheets successively to said scoring means.

22. A scoring and severing machine according to claim 21, in which thesheet centering means comprises a pivotally supported pusher, and cammeans on one of the die elements for actuating said pusher.

GEORGE D. COX.

